Catch 17 contemporary films from across Europe at the 27th European Film Festival in Yangon. Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar and the Goethe Institute Myanmar, with contributions from 17 European countries, the European Film Festival Yangon 2018 takes place from 21-30 September. Film screenings are open to the public free-of-charge at the Goethe Villa and Nay Pyi Taw Cinema.
The annual European Film Festival is the longest-running foreign festival in Myanmar. It aims to promote a cultural exchange between Myanmar and Europe while showcasing the diversity of European cinema.
Speaking at a media briefing in Yangon, H.E. Kristian Schmidt, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar, said: “European films have their own, special nature.
They are often ironic, unexpected and seldom heroic. But this is what makes their stories so intriguing and relevant to everyone.”
“We hope that the European Film Festival will show our guests that underneath our cultural differences, we all have a shared humanity,” he added.
Echoing the Ambassador’s remarks, Myanmar Academy award-winner Auntie Grace (Swe Zin Htike) said, “Cinema is a wonderful window to the world. Movies transport us to new places and different cultures. Art is a platform for connection, for learning, and for peace. Artists like us have global influence. We can help build relationships
between people from any part of the world.”
French film “Django” opens this year’s festival on 21 September at Nay Pyi Taw Cinema in downtown Yangon. The directorial debut of award-winning film producer Étienne Comar, Django is based on the extraordinary life of jazz legend Django Reinhardt.
“Django is a historical biopic that will hauntingly transport viewers to wartime France in the 1940s. Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Django Reinhardt brought joy and brought people to their feet with his Gypsy-Jazz music during a very difficult period. We hope that Myanmar moviegoers will love this movie and its impressive soundtrack,” said Mr Franz Xaver Augustin, Director of the Goethe Institute Myanmar.
Tickets for the films are free and available on a first come, first served basis at the respective venue one hour to 15 minutes before the scheduled screening.
Films to be screened are: Django (France), In the Fade (Germany), Land of Mine (Denmark), Amy (United Kingdom), Little Wing (Finland), Breaking the Limits (Poland), Egon Schiele (Austria), The Wave (Norway), The Divine Order (Switzerland), A Serious Game (Sweden), Mother Knows Best (Portugal), Happy 140 (Spain), Boys (Netherlands), Perfect Strangers (Italy), Apples from the Desert (Israel), Belgian Rhapsody (Belgium), and Cosy Dens (Czech Republic).
For films’ synopsis and screening schedule follow the Festival page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/europeanfilmfestival.yangon
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